Alarm switch clock



Aug. 11, 1942. J. UHRICH ALARM SWITCH CLOCK Filed Sept. 15, 1941 INVENTOR. oseph Ufirirh BY Q 3 Agent Patented Aug. 11, 1942 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALARM SWITCH CLOCK Joseph Uhrich, Nekoma, N. Dak.

Application September 15, 1941, Serial No. 410,838

1 Claim.

My invention relates to improvements in switch alarm clocks whereby an electrical circuit may be closed and opened through the instrumentality of an alarm clock; and the objects of my invention are, first, to close an electrical circuit automatically at a predetermined time prior to the ringing of the alarm of the clock, and for opening the electrical circuit automatically at a predetermined time; and second, to afford facilities on the clock for the closing of the electrical circuit at the will of an operator independently from the alarm mechanism.

In this connection it might be stated for instance that my device would be well adapted for use in localities where the shrill ringing of an alarm clock at an early morning hour should be avoided in order not to disturb nearby people. In such a case, my device could be used to switch on the light, say fifteen minutes prior to the ringing of the clock, so that the sleeper might be awakened by the brightness of the light, and once awake he could shut off the alarm mechanism thus not disturbing anybody else. This also would make it unnecessary to fumble around in the dark when shutting off the alarm. In this case the acoustic alarm would be used only when the sleeper should not happen to be awakened by means of the light. At the same time my device can also be used to close an electrical circuit for other purposes, for instance, for heating water, for switching on the radio, etc.; and due to the fact that my device also opens the circuit after a certain period of time, it would prevent a waste of electricity if the person should forget to switch off the circuit.

The preferred form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a Wiring diagram and a diagrammatical front elevation of a clock equipped with my device; Fig. 2, a diagrammatical side elevation; Fig. 3, a front elevation of a clock furnished with my device, and of a three way socket connected thereto; Fig. 4, a detailed View (vertical section) of the hour hand; Fig. 5, a detailed side elevation of the hour hand; and Fig. 6, a de tailed plan view of the hour hand.

In Figs. 1 and 2 only the parts pertaining to the invention are shown in full lines, and the clock itself is indicated in dash-and-dotted lines.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The clock-work I (partially indicated in Fig. 2) with the dial 2, the minutes hand 3, the hour hand 4, and the alarm hand are insulated from the surface on which the clock stands, preferably by means of a clock case 6 made from or coated with insulating material. In Figs, 1, 2, and 3, I have shown an electric clock; however, my device may be used also for spring clocks.

One pole l of a source of circuit is connected to electrically operated devices, for instance a lighting fixture heater 8, a heater 9, or a radio ID, by means of a Wire H and a socket l2 (Fig. 3) respectively. A wire l4 connects the said electrically operated devices to a slip ring l5 secured to the face of the dial 2 next to the latters periphery by means of insulators Hi. It is obvious that the slip ring [5 can be secured to the dial 2 also by other insulating means, and, if the dial 2 itself consists of insulating material, the slip ring l5 may simply be pasted on the dial or affixed thereupon by screws.

The other pole I! of the source of current 15 connected to the clock work I (and the h'ands) by means of a wire l8. The wires I9 and 20 connect the electrical mechanism 2| of the electric clock in the instance shown to the source of current.

The alarm hand preferably consists of three parts; namely, the conductive parts 5 and 22, and the insulating part 23 between the said parts 5 and 22, the latter being slidable on the ring i5. Obviously the parts 5 and 23 could be made from one piece of insulating material and the conducting part 22 could be secured to it.

The hour hand 4 carries on its under side a bearing 24 and a spring 25. The bearing 24 and the end part 26 of the coiled spring 25 are affixed to the hour hand 4 preferably by soldering. The opposite end 21 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) of the spring 25 is secured to the shaft 28 of a contact 29, by means of a sleeve 30 and by soldering. The shaft 23 extends through the bearing 24, and the contact 29 projects over the hand 4 in a clockwise direction, being adapted in such a manner that it cannot touch the dial, but can only touch the conductive part 22 of the alarm hand. Due to the fact that the contact 29 projects over the hour hand 4 in a clockwise direction it will touch the part 22 prior to the time in which the hour hand 4 is exactly above the alarm hand, and therefore will close the circuit from the one pole i of the source of circuit, the wire II, the electrically operated devices, the wire I4, the ring Hi, the alarm hand part 22 to the hour hand 4, the clock-work I, the Wire I 3, and the other pole ll of the source of circuit. If, for instance, the alarm of the clock is set for 6 oclock and the contact 29 touches the part 22 already at 5.45 o"clock, the electrically operated devices (light) will be switched on fifteen minutes before the alarm sounds. The electrically operated devices will remain switched on so long as the contact 29 is sliding over the part 22, and this time depends on the width of the part 22 and the surface 3| (Fig. 6) of the contact 29. As soon as the contact 29 has passed the part 22, the electrically operated devices will be switched off.

In order to make the switching on of the electrically operated devices possible, independent of the position of the hands, a switch 32, preferably a rotary switch, may be mounted in the clock case. This switch 32 is shown in an open position in Figs. 1 and 3. If the switch 32 is closed (turned 90 degrees) the contact lever 33 (Fig. 3) will connect the contact 34 with the contact 35, thus closing the circuit between the wires I4 and I8 so that the electrically operated devices are switched on.

It must be understood that various changes as to size, shape and arrangement of the parts can be efiectuated without departing from the spirit of the invention or the shape of the annexed claim.

I am aware that prior to my invention switch alarm clocks have been made whereby an electrical circuit may be closed and opened through the instrumentality of an alarm clock. I therefore do not claim such a device broadly; but

I claim:

An alarm switch clock comprising a normal alarm clock work, an insulating casing carrying said clock work, a resilient contact secured to and projecting in a clockwise direction from the hour hand, an alarm hand consisting of two conductive parts with insulation between them, and a metal ring secured to the dial of the clock by insulation, the outer conductive part of said alarm hand being slidable on said metal ring and adapted to receive said resilient contact to close an electrical circuit.

JOSEPH UHRICH. 

